JP2016174307A - Facsimile system, information processing apparatus and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile system capable of making the fact to receive facsimile well known around, and to provide an information processing apparatus and a storage medium.SOLUTION: A facsimile system includes a facsimile acquisition unit 251 for acquiring facsimile, an identification unit 255 for identifying a slave unit 30 of facsimile transfer object, an executable notification method information acquisition unit 257 for acquiring the executable notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception executable by the slave unit 30 of transfer object, a notification priority information acquisition unit 261 for acquiring the notification priority information associated with the priority information for each notification method information indicating the notification method of facsimile reception, a determination unit 263 for determining the notification method of facsimile reception to be executed, based on the executable notification method information and notification priority information, a notification method information notification unit 265 for notifying the slave unit 30 of transfer object of the notification method information indicating the notification method of facsimile reception thus determined, and a print instruction unit 267 for instructing the slave unit 30 of transfer object to print facsimile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile system, an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium.

  The main unit, which is a facsimile machine connected to the public line, and the slave unit, which is an image processing apparatus that is not connected to the public line, are not connected to the public line by connecting them via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. Techniques for transmitting a facsimile from a slave unit to the outside via the master unit and receiving a facsimile from a slave unit not connected to a public line via the master unit are known (for example, Patent Documents) 1).

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, since the slave unit does not need to have a facsimile function, it does not always have a facsimile reception notification function like a facsimile apparatus.

  For this reason, when receiving the facsimile transferred from the parent device, the child device may not be able to notify the surroundings that the facsimile has been received, as in the case of a facsimile machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile system, an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium that can inform the surroundings that a facsimile is received.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a facsimile system according to one aspect of the present invention is a facsimile system including a facsimile apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and one or more image forming apparatuses. The facsimile apparatus includes a facsimile receiving unit that receives a facsimile, and a facsimile notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus of the facsimile, and the information processing apparatus includes the one or more image forming apparatuses, A specifying unit that specifies a transfer target image forming apparatus that is a transfer target of a facsimile, and an executable notification method that indicates one or more facsimile reception notification methods that can be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus from the transfer target image forming apparatus Executable notification method information acquisition unit for acquiring information, and notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception Based on the notification priority information acquisition unit that acquires notification priority information in which priority information indicating priority is associated, and the executable notification method information and the notification priority information. A notification unit for determining a notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the user, a notification method information notification unit for notifying the transfer target image forming apparatus of notification method information indicating the determined notification method of facsimile reception, and the notification method information A printing instruction unit that instructs the transfer target image forming apparatus to print the facsimile after the notification, and the transfer target image forming apparatus receives the facsimile reception indicated by the notification method information notified from the information processing apparatus. A first notification execution unit that executes the notification method, and a print execution unit that executes the printing of the facsimile instructed by the information processing apparatus. That.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to inform the surroundings that a facsimile is received.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the facsimile system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the parent device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the slave unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the slave unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the facsimile system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of executable notification method information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification priority information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed in the facsimile system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed when the notification method information indicates notification to the smart device in the facsimile system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the facsimile system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed in the facsimile system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the facsimile system according to the first modification. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification priority information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification priority information according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a facsimile system, an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a facsimile system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile system 1 includes a master unit 10, slave units 30-1 to 30-4 (an example of one or more image forming apparatuses), a portable terminal 40, an external facsimile apparatus 50-1, 50-2. The master unit 10, the slave units 30-1 to 30-4, and the portable terminal 40 are connected via the internal network 2, and the master unit 10 and the external facsimile apparatuses 50-1 and 50-2 are connected to the external network 3. Connected through.

  The internal network 2 is a private network, such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The external network 3 is a public network, and examples thereof include a public line network and the Internet. In the first embodiment, the case where the external network 3 is a public line network will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the slave units 30-1 to 30-4, it is simply referred to as a slave unit 30, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the external facsimile apparatuses 50-1 and 50-2 May be simply referred to as the external facsimile machine 50. Moreover, although the case where the number of the subunit | mobile_units 30 is four is illustrated in FIG. 1, it is not limited to this, What number may be sufficient if it is one or more. Similarly, FIG. 1 exemplifies a case where the number of external facsimile apparatuses 50 is two, but is not limited thereto, and may be any number as long as it is one or more.

  The slave unit 30 is a device connected to the internal network 2 to which the master unit 10 is connected. Examples of the slave unit 30 include an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a copying machine, and a multifunction peripheral (MFP).

  The portable terminal 40 is a terminal device owned by the user, and examples thereof include smart devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals.

  The base unit 10 is a facsimile machine connected to the external network 3. The facsimile apparatus only needs to have at least a facsimile function, and examples thereof include an apparatus having a facsimile function as a main function, a telephone having a facsimile function, and a multifunction machine having a facsimile function.

  In the first embodiment, the base unit 10 includes a main body unit 11 (an example of a facsimile apparatus) and a server unit 20 (an example of an information processing apparatus). The main unit 10 includes the main unit 10 as a facsimile apparatus, and the main unit 10 performs the operation of the main unit 10 as a facsimile apparatus.

  In the first embodiment, the server unit 20 is a small board-like server, and is assumed to be built in the base unit 10 and internally connected to the main body unit 11, but is not limited thereto. is not. The server unit 20 only needs to be connected to the main body unit 11, and may be internally connected to the main body unit 11 or externally connected to the main body unit 11.

  The server unit 20 transfers the facsimile received by the main body unit 11 from the external facsimile apparatus 50 via the external network 3 to the slave unit 30. Thereby, even the slave unit 30 not connected to the external network 3 can receive a facsimile from the outside.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the parent device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the main unit 11 and the server unit 20 of the parent device 10 are connected by a bus. The main body 11 includes a scanner unit 101, an operation panel 103, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 105, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 107, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 109, a print engine 111, and an image memory 113. A HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 115, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) 117, a MODEM 119, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 121. The server unit 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 203, a RAM 205, an HDD 207, and a NIC 209. However, the hardware configuration of base unit 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The scanner unit 101 electronically reads a document placed on a document table and generates image data. The print engine 111 prints out image data. The image memory 113 is a memory for storing image data generated by the scanner unit 101 and image data printed and output to the print engine 111.

  The NIC 117 is a communication interface for communication via the internal network 2. The NCU 121 is a communication interface for communication via the external network 3. The MODEM 119 is a device that performs modulation / demodulation accompanying facsimile communication via the external network 3. The operation panel 103 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying a screen, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicating a state, a buzzer, a hard key, and a touch panel, and displays various information on the LCD, Accepts input of various information from the touch panel.

  The ROM 107 stores a program executed by the CPU 105 and the like. The RAM 109 is used as a work area for the CPU 105. The HDD 115 stores various data used by the CPU 105. The CPU 105 executes the program stored in the ROM 107 on the RAM 109 to control the scanner unit 101, the operation panel 103, the print engine 111, the image memory 113, the HDD 115, the NIC 117, the MODEM 119, the NCU 121, and the like connected by a bus. To do.

  The NIC 209 is a communication interface for communication via the internal network 2. The ROM 203 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 and the like. The RAM 205 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HDD 207 stores various data used by the CPU 201. The CPU 201 executes a program stored in the ROM 203 on the RAM 205 to realize facsimile communication in which the main body unit 11 and the slave unit 30 are linked.

  3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the slave unit 30 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware configuration when the slave unit 30 is a printing apparatus. Shows a hardware configuration when the slave unit 30 is a multifunction device. Since the difference between the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 is whether or not the scanner unit 321 is provided, here, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 provided with the scanner unit 321 is taken as an example. I will explain. For the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3, the scanner unit 321 may be excluded from the following description.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slave unit 30 includes an operation panel 301, a CPU 303, a ROM 305, a RAM 307, a wireless communication device 309, a print engine 311, an image memory 313, an HDD 315, a NIC 317, and an authentication device. 319 and a scanner unit 321. However, the hardware configuration of the slave unit 30 shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The scanner unit 321 electronically reads a document placed on a document table and generates image data. The print engine 311 prints out the image data. The image memory 313 is a memory for storing image data generated by the scanner unit 321 and image data printed out by the print engine 311.

  The NIC 317 is a communication interface for communication via the internal network 2. The wireless communication device 309 is a communication interface for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The authentication device 319 is a device that authenticates a user, such as a card reader. The operation panel 301 includes an LCD for displaying a screen, an LED indicating a state, a buzzer, a Patlite (registered trademark), a hard key, and a touch panel, and displays various information on the LCD, and various information from the hard key and the touch panel. Or accept input.

  The ROM 305 stores a program executed by the CPU 303 and the like. The RAM 307 is used as a work area for the CPU 303. The HDD 315 stores various data used by the CPU 303. The CPU 303 executes a program stored in the ROM 305 on the RAM 307, whereby the operation panel 301, the wireless communication device 309, the print engine 311, the image memory 313, the HDD 315, the NIC 317, the authentication device 319, and the scanner connected via the bus. The unit 321 and the like are controlled.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 40 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 40 includes a wireless communication device 401, a CPU 403, a ROM 405, a RAM 407, an HDD 409, a NIC 411, an operation device 413, and a display device 415. However, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 40 shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The NIC 411 is a communication interface for communication via the internal network 2. The wireless communication device 401 is a communication interface for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth. The operation device 413 performs various operation inputs such as a touch panel. The display device 415 displays various information such as a display.

  The ROM 405 stores a program executed by the CPU 403 and the like. The RAM 407 is used as a work area for the CPU 403. The HDD 409 stores various data used by the CPU 403. The CPU 403 implements various operations by executing the program stored in the ROM 405 on the RAM 407.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the facsimile system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the main body unit 11 includes a facsimile reception unit 151 and a facsimile notification unit 153. The facsimile reception unit 151 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 105, the RAM 109, the MODEM 119, and the NCU 121, and the facsimile notification unit 153 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 105, the RAM 109, and the NIC 117.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the server unit 20 includes a facsimile acquisition unit 251, a transfer information storage unit 253, a specification unit 255, an executable notification method information acquisition unit 257, and a notification priority information storage unit 259. A notification priority information acquisition unit 261, a determination unit 263, a notification method information notification unit 265, and a print instruction unit 267.

  The facsimile acquisition unit 251, the identification unit 255, the notification priority information acquisition unit 261, and the determination unit 263 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 201 and the RAM 205, and the transfer information storage unit 253 and the notification priority information storage unit 259 are, for example, the HDD 207. The executable notification method information acquisition unit 257, the notification method information notification unit 265, and the print instruction unit 267 can be realized by the CPU 201, the RAM 205, and the NIC 209, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the slave unit 30 includes an executable notification method information storage unit 351, an executable notification method information notification unit 353, a first notification execution unit 355, and a print execution unit 357. Including. The executable notification method information storage unit 351 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 315, the executable notification method information notification unit 353 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 303, the RAM 307, and the NIC 317, and the first notification execution unit 355 has, for example, The print execution unit 357 can be realized by the print engine 311, for example.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 40 includes a connection control unit 451 and a second notification execution unit 453. The connection control unit 451 and the second notification execution unit 453 can be realized by, for example, the wireless communication device 401, the CPU 403, and the RAM 407.

  The facsimile receiving unit 151 receives a facsimile from the external facsimile apparatus 50 via the external network 3.

  The facsimile notification unit 153 notifies the server unit 20 of the facsimile received by the facsimile receiving unit 151.

  The facsimile acquisition unit 251 acquires a facsimile from the main body unit 11.

  The transfer information storage unit 253 stores transfer information for determining a facsimile transfer destination acquired by the facsimile acquisition unit 251. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer information according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the transfer information is information in which a transmission source facsimile number and a transfer destination child machine address are associated with each other. The transmission source facsimile number is the facsimile number of the transmission source that transmitted the facsimile to the main unit 11 such as the external facsimile apparatus 50, and the transfer destination child device address is the IP address of the child device 30, for example.

  The specifying unit 255 specifies the slave unit 30 that is a transfer target of the facsimile acquired by the facsimile acquiring unit 251 from the one or more slave units 30. Specifically, the specifying unit 255 refers to the transfer information stored in the transfer information storage unit 253 and specifies the slave unit 30 that is the transfer target of the facsimile acquired by the facsimile acquisition unit 251.

  For example, when the transmission source facsimile number of the facsimile acquired by the facsimile acquisition unit 251 is “03xxxxxxxx”, referring to the transfer information shown in FIG. 7, a child whose transfer destination child device address is “11.22.33.44”. The machine 30 becomes the slave machine 30 to be transferred by the facsimile acquired by the facsimile acquisition unit 251.

  The executable notification method information acquisition unit 257 indicates an executable notification method indicating one or more facsimile reception notification methods executable by the transfer target slave unit 30 from the transfer target slave unit 30 specified by the specification unit 255. Get information.

  The executable notification method information storage unit 351 stores executable notification method information of the slave unit 30. When the server unit 20 requests acquisition of the executable notification method information, the executable notification method information notification unit 353 acquires the executable notification method information from the executable notification method information storage unit 351 and passes it to the server unit 20. .

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of executable notification method information according to the first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the executable notification method information can be notified to the smart device, notification by lighting the LED lamp, and notification by dialog display.

  The notification priority information storage unit 259 stores notification priority information in which priority information indicating priority is associated with each notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification priority information according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the notification priority information has the highest priority for notification to the smart device. Hereinafter, the high priority is the dialog display, the beep notification, the LED lamp lighting notification, the patrol light. It is in the order of notification by lighting.

  The notification priority information acquisition unit 261 acquires notification priority information. Specifically, the notification priority information acquisition unit 261 acquires notification priority information from the notification priority information storage unit 259.

  The determination unit 263 is specified by the specifying unit 255 based on the executable notification method information acquired by the executable notification method information acquisition unit 257 and the notification priority information acquired by the notification priority information acquisition unit 261. A facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the slave unit 30 to be transferred is determined. Specifically, the determination unit 263 refers to the notification priority information, and determines the notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the child device 30 to be transferred, among one or more executable notification methods indicated by the executable notification method information. Decide on the executable notification method with the highest priority.

  For example, in the case of the executable notification method information shown in FIG. 8 and the notification priority information shown in FIG. 9, the notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the child device 30 to be transferred is determined to be notification to the smart device.

  The notification method information notification unit 265 notifies the notification method information indicating the facsimile reception notification method determined by the determination unit 263 to the transfer target slave unit 30 specified by the specification unit 255.

  Note that the notification method information notification unit 265 indicates that the facsimile has been transferred to the transfer target child device 30 when the executable notification method information acquisition unit 257 cannot acquire the executable notification method information from the transfer target child device 30. The facsimile reception notification information may be notified to a predetermined notification destination. Examples of the predetermined notification destination include an administrator and a mail address of one of the slave units 30.

  The first notification execution unit 355 executes a facsimile reception notification method indicated by the notification method information notified from the server unit 20. For example, when the notification method information indicates a dialog display, the first notification execution unit 355 displays a screen indicating that a facsimile is received on the operation panel 301 (LCD). Further, for example, when the notification method information indicates a notification by a beep sound, the first notification execution unit 355 causes the operation panel 301 (buzzer) to output a beep sound. For example, the first notification execution unit 355 turns on the operation panel 301 (LED) when the notification method information indicates notification by turning on the LED lamp. Further, for example, the first notification execution unit 355 turns on the operation panel 301 (patlight) when the notification method information indicates notification by lighting the patrol light.

  In the first embodiment, when the first notification execution unit 355 receives facsimile reception notification information from the server unit 20, as shown in FIG. 10, the first notification execution unit 355 sends the slave unit 30 to be transferred to the operation panel 301 (LCD). Although it is assumed that a screen display indicating that the facsimile has been transferred is performed, the present invention is not limited to this.

  As described above, in the case of the executable notification method information shown in FIG. 8 and the notification priority information shown in FIG. 9, the determination unit 263 sets the notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the slave unit 30 to be transferred to the smart device. Decide on notification. In this case, since the notification method information indicates the notification to the smart device, the first notification execution unit 355, after the notification of the notification method information from the server unit 20, when the portable terminal 40 is located within a predetermined range, When the connection with the portable terminal 40 is attempted and the connection is successful, the portable terminal 40 is notified of portable notification method information indicating a facsimile reception notification method of the portable terminal 40.

  If the first notification execution unit 355 succeeds in connection with the mobile terminal 40, has the connection been made in the past from an identifier such as a serial number or a MAC (Media Access Control address) address of the mobile terminal 40? If the mobile terminal 40 has been connected to the mobile terminal 40 in the past, the mobile terminal 40 may be notified of the mobile notification method information.

  The connection control unit 451 attempts to connect to the transfer target child device 30 when the transfer target child device 30 is located within a predetermined range as the user holding the mobile terminal 40 moves.

  The second notification execution unit 453, when the connection with the transfer target slave unit 30 is successful, notifies the mobile terminal facsimile reception indicated by the portable notification method information notified from the transfer target slave unit 30. Execute the method.

  In the first embodiment, the method for notifying the reception of a facsimile for a portable terminal indicated by the portable notification method information is assumed to display a message on the display device 415, but is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. The audio output may be used.

  After the notification method information notification unit 265 notifies the notification method information, the print instruction unit 267 instructs the slave unit 30 to be transferred to perform facsimile printing.

  The print execution unit 357 executes facsimile printing instructed from the server unit 20.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a process performed in the facsimile system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  First, the facsimile receiving unit 151 of the main body 11 receives a facsimile from the external facsimile apparatus 50 via the external network 3 (step S101).

  Subsequently, the facsimile notification unit 153 of the main body unit 11 notifies the server unit 20 of the facsimile received by the facsimile reception unit 151, and the facsimile acquisition unit 251 of the server unit 20 acquires the facsimile from the main body unit 11 (step). S103).

  Subsequently, the specifying unit 255 of the server unit 20 refers to the transfer information stored in the transfer information storage unit 253 and specifies the slave device 30 to be transferred by the facsimile acquired by the facsimile acquiring unit 251 (step S105).

  Subsequently, the executable notification method information acquisition unit 257 of the server unit 20 requests the transfer target slave unit 30 specified by the specification unit 255 to acquire executable notification method information (step S107). The executable notification method information notification unit 353 of the target child device 30 acquires the executable notification method information from the executable notification method information storage unit 351 when acquisition of the executable notification method information is requested from the server unit 20. The server unit 20 is notified (step S109).

  Subsequently, the notification priority information acquisition unit 261 of the server unit 20 acquires notification priority information from the notification priority information storage unit 259 (step S111).

  Subsequently, the determination unit 263 of the server unit 20 is based on the executable notification method information acquired by the executable notification method information acquisition unit 257 and the notification priority information acquired by the notification priority information acquisition unit 261. A facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the transfer target slave unit 30 specified by the specifying unit 255 is determined (step S113).

  Subsequently, the notification method information notification unit 265 of the server unit 20 notifies the notification method information indicating the notification method of facsimile reception determined by the determination unit 263 to the transfer target slave unit 30 specified by the specification unit 255. (Step S115).

  Subsequently, the first notification execution unit 355 of the child device 30 to be transferred executes the facsimile reception notification method indicated by the notification method information notified from the server unit 20 (step S117).

  Subsequently, after the notification method information is notified by the notification method information notification unit 265, the print instruction unit 267 of the server unit 20 instructs the slave unit 30 to be transferred to perform facsimile printing (step S119).

  Subsequently, the print execution unit 357 of the slave unit 30 to be transferred requests the server unit 20 for a facsimile to be printed, and the print instruction unit 267 transmits the facsimile to be printed to the slave unit 30 to be transferred to perform printing. The execution unit 357 executes printing of the facsimile transmitted from the server unit 20 (steps S121 to S125).

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure flow of processing performed when the notification method information indicates notification to the smart device in the facsimile system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  First, the connection control unit 451 of the mobile terminal 40 locates the handset 30 (here, the handset 30 to be transferred) within a predetermined range as the user holding the mobile terminal 40 moves. If this is detected, a connection request is made to the child device 30 to be transferred (step S201).

  Subsequently, when the connection is requested from the mobile terminal 40, the first notification execution unit 355 of the transfer target slave unit 30 cooperates with the connection control unit 451 of the mobile terminal 40 to transfer the transfer target slave unit 30 and Connection between the portable terminals 40 is established (step S203).

  Subsequently, when the connection is established, the first notification execution unit 355 notifies the portable terminal 40 of the portable notification method information (step S205).

  Subsequently, the second notification execution unit 453 of the portable terminal 40 executes a notification method for receiving a facsimile for the portable terminal indicated by the portable notification method information notified from the child device 30 to be transferred (step S207).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the server unit instructs the slave unit to be transferred to which the facsimile is transferred, a notification method executable by the slave unit, and the slave unit executes the notification method. Therefore, it is possible to inform the surroundings that the facsimile is received.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, an example in which facsimile printing is executed based on a user instruction will be described. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be given the same names and symbols as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be made. Omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the facsimile system 1001 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the server unit 1020 of the base unit 1010 of the second embodiment, the determination unit 1263, the notification method information notification unit 1265, the print start request information reception unit 1269, and the print instruction unit 1267 are the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, in the handset 1030 of the second embodiment, the first notification execution unit 1355 and the print start request information notification unit 1359 are different from the first embodiment.

  The print start request information notification unit 1359 executes the facsimile reception notification method indicated by the notification method information notified from the server unit 1020 by the first notification execution unit 1355, and then, based on the operation input from the user, The server unit 1020 is notified of print start request information indicating whether to start printing.

  For example, when the first notification execution unit 1355 executes the facsimile reception notification method, the print start request information notification unit 1359 performs facsimile printing on the operation panel 301 (LCD) as shown in FIG. Display a confirmation screen to confirm whether or not. When the user selects whether to print on the operation panel 301 (hard key or touch panel), the print start request information notification unit 1359 starts printing indicating whether or not to start facsimile printing. Request information is notified to the server unit 1020.

  The print start request information receiving unit 1269 receives the print start request information notified from the transfer target slave unit 1030.

  When the print start request information received by the print start request information receiving unit 1269 indicates print start, the print instruction unit 1267 instructs the slave 1030 to be transferred to perform facsimile printing.

  If the print start request information receiving unit 1269 does not receive the print start request information, the determination unit 1263 can execute the auxiliary notification method for facsimile reception that is further executed by the slave unit 1030 to be transferred based on the notification priority information. It is determined from the notification methods of facsimile reception other than the determined notification method of facsimile reception among the notification methods of one or more facsimile receptions indicated by the notification method information. For example, the determination unit 1263 sets the auxiliary notification method for facsimile reception to be executed by the child device 1030 to be transferred, as an executable notification having the second highest priority among the one or more executable notification methods indicated by the executable notification method information. The method should be decided.

  Notification method information notifying unit 1265 further notifies auxiliary notification method information indicating the auxiliary notification method for facsimile reception determined by determining unit 1263 to slave unit 1030 to be transferred.

  First notification execution unit 1355 further executes an auxiliary notification method for facsimile reception indicated by the auxiliary notification method information notified from server unit 1020.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing steps performed in the facsimile system 1001 according to the second embodiment.

  First, the processing from step S301 to S317 is the same as the processing from step S101 to S117 in the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, when the first notification execution unit 1355 executes the facsimile reception notification method, the print start request information notification unit 1359 of the child device 1030 to be transferred performs facsimile printing on the operation panel 301 (LCD). A confirmation screen for confirming whether or not is displayed is displayed (step S318).

  Subsequently, the print start request information notifying unit 1359 of the child device 1030 to be transferred receives a print execution selection input from the user to the operation panel 301 (hard key or touch panel) (step S319), and indicates the start of facsimile printing. The print start request information is notified to the server unit 1020, and the print start request information receiving unit 1269 of the server unit 1020 receives the print start request information notified from the transfer target slave unit 1030 (step S321).

  Subsequently, since the print start request information received by the print start request information receiving unit 1269 indicates the start of printing, the print instructing unit 1267 instructs the slave device 1030 to be transferred to perform facsimile printing (step S323).

  The subsequent processing from step S325 to S329 is the same as the processing from step S121 to S125 in the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

(Modification 1)
In each of the above embodiments, the server unit 20 is described as an example in which the server unit 20 is built in the base unit 10 and internally connected to the main body unit 11. However, as in the facsimile system 2001 shown in FIG. May be connected to the network 2 from the outside of the parent device 10, and the server unit 20 and the parent device 10 may be connected via the network 2. In this case, the base unit 10 corresponds to the main body unit 11.

(Modification 2)
In each of the above embodiments, the notification priority information may be switched according to conditions. For example, like the notification priority information shown in FIG. 17, the priority information is associated with the notification method information for each time zone information indicating the time zone, and the determination unit further determines the transfer target based on the current time. A notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the slave unit may be determined.

  In this way, the method of notifying the facsimile reception determined by the determination unit can be made different according to the time zone. For example, it is optimal in both the time zone in which the user is present and the time zone in which the user is not present. Notification of facsimile reception can be performed, and the accuracy of notifying the user of facsimile reception can be increased.

  Also, for example, as in the notification priority information shown in FIG. 18, priority information is associated with the notification method information for each user identification information indicating a user, and the determination unit further receives a reception indicating a facsimile reception target user. Based on the target user identification information, a facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the slave unit to be transferred may be determined. The user identification information to be received may be the user identification information input from the authentication device 319 when authentication is successful by the authentication device 319 of the slave unit, or the user name of the facsimile transmission destination It is good. The name of the user who is the destination of the facsimile can be specified by performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on the facsimile.

  The notification priority information may be associated with the notification method information for each installation location information indicating the installation location of the slave unit 30.

(Modification 3)
In each of the above embodiments, when the executable notification method information cannot be acquired from the transfer target slave unit, the facsimile reception notification information is notified to a predetermined notification destination. May be.

  In this case, if the executable notification method information acquisition unit cannot acquire the executable notification method information from the transfer target slave unit, the executable notification method information acquisition unit executes from a neighboring slave unit located near the transfer target slave unit among one or more slave units. The possible notification method information is acquired, and the determination unit determines a notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the neighboring child device based on the executable notification method information and the notification priority information. Notification method information indicating the determined notification method of facsimile reception is notified to the neighboring slave unit, and the first notification execution unit of the neighboring slave unit determines the notification method of facsimile reception indicated by the notification method information notified from the server unit. An alternative execution may be performed.

  The neighboring slave unit may be any slave unit assigned an IP address on the same subnet as the slave unit to be transferred. The method for determining the notification method for facsimile reception may be the same as in the above embodiments, or the notification method for facsimile reception may be determined to be notification by dialog display.

(program)
A program executed on the main body, the server unit, the slave unit, and the portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as “the devices of the embodiments and modifications”) of each of the embodiments and modifications can be installed. A file in a format or an executable format is provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a flexible disk (FD).

  Further, the program executed by each device of each of the above embodiments and modifications may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. In addition, the devices of the above embodiments and modifications may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. In addition, a program executed by each device of each of the above embodiments and modifications may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  A program executed by each device of each of the above embodiments and modifications has a module configuration for realizing the above-described units on a computer. As actual hardware, for example, the CPU reads out a program from the ROM to the RAM and executes the program, so that each functional unit is realized on the computer.

1, 1001, 2001 Facsimile system 2 Internal network 3 External network 10, 1010 Base unit 11, 1011 Main unit 20, 1020 Server unit 30-1 to 30-4 (30, 1030) Slave unit 40 Mobile terminal 50-1, 50 -2 (50) External facsimile machine 101 Scanner unit 103 Operation panel 105 CPU
107 ROM
109 RAM
111 Print Engine 113 Image Memory 115 HDD
117 NIC
119 MODEM
121 NCU
151 Facsimile reception unit 153 Facsimile notification unit 201 CPU
203 ROM
205 RAM
207 HDD
209 NIC
251 Facsimile acquisition unit 253 Transfer information storage unit 255 Identification unit 257 Executable notification method information acquisition unit 259 Notification priority information storage unit 261 Notification priority information acquisition unit 263, 1263 Determination unit 265, 1265 Notification method information notification unit 267, 1267 Print instruction unit 301 Operation panel 303 CPU
305 ROM
307 RAM
309 Wireless communication device 311 Print engine 313 Image memory 315 HDD
317 NIC
319 Authentication device 321 Scanner unit 351 Executable notification method information storage unit 353 Executable notification method information notification unit 355, 1355 First notification execution unit 357 Print execution unit 401 Wireless communication device 403 CPU
405 ROM
407 RAM
409 HDD
411 NIC
413 Operation device 415 Display device 451 Connection control unit 453 Second notification execution unit 1269 Print start request information reception unit 1359 Print start request information notification unit

JP 2014-192601A

Claims (20)

A facsimile system comprising a facsimile apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and one or more image forming apparatuses,
The facsimile machine is
A facsimile receiver for receiving a facsimile;
A facsimile notification unit for notifying the information processing apparatus of the facsimile,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A specifying unit that specifies a transfer target image forming apparatus to be transferred by the facsimile from the one or more image forming apparatuses;
An executable notification method information acquisition unit that acquires executable notification method information indicating one or more facsimile reception notification methods executable by the transfer target image forming apparatus from the transfer target image forming apparatus;
A notification priority information acquisition unit for acquiring notification priority information in which priority information indicating priority is associated with each notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception;
A determination unit for determining a notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus based on the executable notification method information and the notification priority information;
A notification method information notifying unit for notifying the transfer target image forming apparatus of notification method information indicating the determined notification method of facsimile reception;
A print instructing unit that instructs the transfer target image forming apparatus to print the facsimile after notifying the notification method information;
The transfer target image forming apparatus includes:
A first notification execution unit that executes a notification method of facsimile reception indicated by the notification method information notified from the information processing apparatus;
And a printing execution unit that executes printing of the facsimile instructed by the information processing apparatus. A mobile terminal,
The notification method of the determined facsimile reception is a notification method using the mobile terminal,
When the mobile terminal is located within a predetermined range after the notification method information is notified from the information processing apparatus, the first notification execution unit tries to connect to the mobile terminal and succeeds in the connection. , Notifying the portable terminal of portable notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception for the portable terminal,
The portable terminal is
When the transfer target image forming apparatus is located within the predetermined range, a connection control unit that attempts to connect to the transfer target image forming apparatus;
A second notification for executing a notification method of facsimile reception for the portable terminal indicated by the portable notification method information notified from the transfer target image forming apparatus when the connection with the transfer target image forming apparatus is successful; The facsimile system according to claim 1, further comprising an execution unit. The transfer target image forming apparatus includes:
Print start request information indicating whether or not to start printing of the facsimile based on an operation input from a user after executing the facsimile reception notification method indicated by the notification method information notified from the information processing apparatus. A print start request information notification unit for notifying the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus includes:
A print start request information receiving unit for receiving the print start request information notified from the transfer target image forming apparatus;
The print instructing unit instructs the transfer target image forming apparatus to print the facsimile when the print start request information received by the print start request information receiving unit indicates printing start. Facsimile system. The determining unit, when the print start request information receiving unit does not receive the print start request information, based on the notification priority information, a facsimile reception auxiliary notification method to be further executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus, Determining one of the one or more facsimile reception notification methods indicated by the executable notification method information from among the facsimile reception notification methods other than the determined facsimile reception notification method;
The notification method information notifying unit further notifies the transfer target image forming apparatus of auxiliary notification method information indicating the determined auxiliary notification method of facsimile reception;
The facsimile system according to claim 3, wherein the first notification executing unit further executes an auxiliary notification method for facsimile reception indicated by the auxiliary notification method information notified from the information processing apparatus.   The notification method information notifying unit confirms that the facsimile has been transferred to the transfer target image forming apparatus when the executable notification method information acquiring unit cannot acquire the executable notification method information from the transfer target image forming apparatus. The facsimile system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the received facsimile reception notification information is notified to a predetermined notification destination. When the executable notification method information acquisition unit cannot acquire the executable notification method information from the transfer target image forming apparatus, the neighboring image located in the vicinity of the transfer target image forming apparatus among the one or more image forming apparatuses. Obtaining the executable notification method information from the forming apparatus;
The determining unit determines a notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the neighboring image forming apparatus instead based on the executable notification method information and the notification priority information;
The notification method information notification unit notifies the neighboring image forming apparatus of notification method information indicating the notification method of the determined facsimile reception;
The first notification execution unit of the neighboring image forming apparatus performs substitute execution of a facsimile reception notification method indicated by the notification method information notified from the information processing apparatus. Facsimile system. The notification priority information is associated with the notification method information for each time zone information indicating a time zone,
The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit further determines a facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus based on a current time. In the notification priority information, for each user identification information indicating a user, the priority information is associated with the notification method information,
The determination unit further determines a facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus based on reception target user identification information indicating the facsimile reception target user. The facsimile system described in 1. The information processing apparatus is internally or externally connected to the facsimile apparatus;
The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus and the one or more image forming apparatuses are connected via a network.   The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus, the information processing apparatus, and the one or more image forming apparatuses are connected via a network. A facsimile acquisition unit for acquiring a facsimile received by the facsimile apparatus;
A specifying unit for specifying a transfer target image forming apparatus to be transferred by the facsimile from one or more image forming apparatuses;
An executable notification method information acquisition unit that acquires executable notification method information indicating one or more facsimile reception notification methods executable by the transfer target image forming apparatus from the transfer target image forming apparatus;
A notification priority information acquisition unit for acquiring notification priority information in which priority information indicating priority is associated with each notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception;
A determination unit for determining a notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus based on the executable notification method information and the notification priority information;
A notification method information notifying unit for notifying the transfer target image forming apparatus of notification method information indicating the determined notification method of facsimile reception;
A print instruction unit that instructs the transfer target image forming apparatus to print the facsimile after the notification method information is notified;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A print start request information receiving unit that receives print start request information indicating whether or not to start printing of the facsimile from the transfer target image forming apparatus after notification of the notification method information;
12. The information according to claim 11, wherein the print instruction unit instructs the transfer target image forming apparatus to print the facsimile when the print start request information received by the print start request information receiving unit indicates printing start. Processing equipment. The determining unit, when the print start request information receiving unit does not receive the print start request information, based on the notification priority information, a facsimile reception auxiliary notification method to be further executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus, Determining one of the one or more facsimile reception notification methods indicated by the executable notification method information from among the facsimile reception notification methods other than the determined facsimile reception notification method;
13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the notification method information notification unit further notifies the transfer target image forming apparatus of auxiliary notification method information indicating the determined auxiliary notification method for facsimile reception.   The notification method information notifying unit confirms that the facsimile has been transferred to the transfer target image forming apparatus when the executable notification method information acquiring unit cannot acquire the executable notification method information from the transfer target image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the received facsimile reception notification information is notified to a predetermined notification destination. When the executable notification method information acquisition unit cannot acquire the executable notification method information from the transfer target image forming apparatus, the neighboring image located in the vicinity of the transfer target image forming apparatus among the one or more image forming apparatuses. Obtaining the executable notification method information from the forming apparatus;
The determining unit determines a notification method of facsimile reception to be executed by the neighboring image forming apparatus instead based on the executable notification method information and the notification priority information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the notification method information notification unit notifies the neighboring image forming apparatus of notification method information indicating the determined notification method of facsimile reception. The notification priority information is associated with the notification method information for each time zone information indicating a time zone,
16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the determination unit further determines a facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus based on a current time. In the notification priority information, for each user identification information indicating a user, the priority information is associated with the notification method information,
The determination unit further determines a facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus, based on reception target user identification information indicating a reception target user of the facsimile. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to the facsimile apparatus internally or externally and connected to the one or more image forming apparatuses via a network.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to the facsimile apparatus and the one or more image forming apparatuses via a network. A facsimile acquisition step of acquiring a facsimile received by the facsimile apparatus;
A specifying step of specifying a transfer target image forming apparatus to be transferred by the facsimile from one or more image forming apparatuses;
An executable notification method information acquisition step of acquiring executable notification method information indicating one or more facsimile reception notification methods executable by the transfer target image forming device from the transfer target image forming device;
A notification priority information acquisition step of acquiring notification priority information in which priority information indicating priority is associated with each notification method information indicating a notification method of facsimile reception;
Determining a facsimile reception notification method to be executed by the transfer target image forming apparatus based on the executable notification method information and the notification priority information;
A notification method information notification step of notifying the transfer target image forming apparatus of notification method information indicating the determined notification method of facsimile reception;
A print instruction step for instructing the transfer target image forming apparatus to print the facsimile after notifying the notification method information;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute.

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